You know it’s spring in Colorado Ski Country when resorts a) announce a shift in operating hours, b) offer spring pass sales, and c) we have to start talking about closing dates.

April is the final month of the 2011/12 winter season and Winter Park Resort has decided to make spring skiing and riding even brighter by adding two new features; adjusted spring hours and a new spring pass. Between April 9 and 22, lifts will be shifted forward one hour and as a last hoorah Winter Park will offer a new spring pass, the Last Blast $99 Pass for those guests wanting to get the most out of the last two weeks of the season.

New Spring Hours – April 9-22Effective Monday, April 9 through the end of the winter season, Winter Park and Mary Jane will shift the operating and lift schedule forward one hour.

April 9 – 22 Operating Schedule

Weekday schedule: Open 10:00 am, close 5:00pm

Weekend schedule: Open 9:30 am, close 5:00 pm

Spring snow conditions can often be difficult given the range of temperatures and thaw/freeze issues due to the large variance between each day’s high temperatures and each night’s low temperatures. To take advantage of afternoon light provided by daylight saving time, and to improve the on-snow experience, we are making this schedule shift. By allowing an extra hour in the morning for snow to soften, and an extra hour of ski/ride time in the afternoon when the light is good and snow is softer, we will improve the guest experience in the final weeks of the season. In addition, this will allow guests to sleep in an extra hour and relish the benefits of daylight saving time – including enjoying après at one of the many bars with sunny deck seating!

New this year – the Last Blast $99 Pass – April 9-22

For one last hoorah, Winter Park Resort is offering a new spring pass, the Last Blast $99 Pass. Featuring unlimited skiing and riding at Winter Park and Mary Jane, valid every day during the last two weeks of the ski and ride season, April 9-22, 2012. 48 hour advance purchase is required. This pass is not transferable and is nonrefundable. Visit WinterParkResort.com and click on the promotion at the bottom of the page or click here to purchase: